Alex Wetmore’s Tikit Porteur Rack

23122010

Photo: Alex Wetmore

Update: Lane at CETMA is going to build me a PR rack for my Tikit. It will include a mount for the Brompton O-Bag QR bracket so I can just drop the O-Bag on the rack without having to strap it down or have it jump off on a bump. I’m going to drop off my Tikit on the way down to Baja and hopefully pick everything up on my way back home. Lane will have my Tikit as well as my O-Bag and Brompton QR bracket so he can fit everything up nicely. If you want the same setup drop him a line since he will have everything in hand as well as a bike to test fit things it will never be easier to order a Tikit PR rack.

I’m stoked. The only thing I was jealous about from the Brompton world was their front luggage. Now I’ll be able to have the great Tikit ride & fold with handy Brompton quick release front luggage and the utility of Alex’s PR rack. Sounds killer to me…=-)

Alex Wetmore is one of those smart guys that’s also handy enough to build the stuff he thinks of – a wicked combo for sure. I love his idea for a PR Rack on a Bike Friday Tikit. The more I ride my Tikit the more I think this makes a ton of sense rather than messing with panniers. I could strap on my bike messeger bag or a box or paper for the office with ease. I think I’m going to make one of these happen in 2011. Getting a custom rack built has some expense involved in design and getting jigs ready that could be used for many future racks. If you have any interest in one of these for your Tikit let me know. I could do the coordination with a rack builder and everyone who wants one pay him and have a rack built shipped from his shop. The result would be faster, easier and cheaper than 5 or 8 people getting custom racks for their Tikits.

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27 responses

Always thought alex’s rack would be great. Have thought CETMA could easily do his half rack with shorter stays. Have also thought a rivbike / nitto marks rack plus patrack could be cool. Not at a point to buy one for my tikit at moment though…

PS also think PDW’s new handlebar 6 pack rack would be uber cool on my drop bars to my tikit and Shouldn’t interfere with fold…

Nice idea.
I did a similar thing years ago, with my Brompton. The Brompton has a luggage-mounting boss welded onto the headtube; A plastic block screws onto the boss and then the Brompton bags clip onto that using a quick-release.

The bag remains stationary when you steer & the stationary weight over the front wheel can actually improve the handling.

Also, some of the Brompton bags use an internal tubular frame (with the quick-release attachment integrated). Similar to the Porteur rack but smaller. I attached a waterproof Ortlieb Office Bag to the frame. Worked beautifully.

IMO, the luggage system is the best feature of the Brompton. The folding mechanism is also great… things just deteriorate when yo actually UNfold the Brompton to use it as a bike… Traded mine for a Birdy: Awful fold but great ride.

Anyway, take a look into the headtube mounting boss. It would need some frame-building skill and a minor repaint, but the Tikit seems to be such a great bike, that it might be worth the effort – even just as a more stable mounting position for the Porteur rack rather than the “Brompton / Ortlieb bag” idea.

@Kos – I have a Brompton QR bracket waiting for me at the LBS. I’ll also get an O-Bag and give all of this to Lane at CEMTA. He’ll build me a porteur rack that:

– I can drop the O-Bag onto and use the QR block to secure it without straps
– that will hold a messenger bag upright with one strap
– that can carry a box of paper

I think that will add a lot of functionality to my Tikit. Unfortunately it won’t be cheap!

17122010

Mel-low(14:41:39) :

The rack looks pretty sweet, but can you also hang paniers off its side?

Sorry to ask such a noob question, but I’ve done 0 touring before, but seriously in the plans for spring to visit my friend just moved to Cowichan Valley from the Vancouver and Ferry+Greyhound schedule suck. Riding for 3 hours on folder off the ferry seems more pleasant (unless weather goes terible).

@Melissa – you can run two panniers with Bike Friday’s 2 pannier Tikit front rack and another 2 with their folding touring rear rack. With the rack shown in this post you can’t run any front panniers, but you could carry a medium sized suitcase so it would achieve the same goal.

@Paul – it’s nearly done and I should have it shortly. CETMA was very busy at the time I placed my order so it’s taking longer than anticipated.

24032011

Ebi(04:57:30) :

Hi Vik,

I would like to get a rack like you mention inclusive of Brompton QR.

You mention that you wouldn’t mind coordinating other’s requests:

> If you have any interest in one of these for your Tikit let me know. I could do the coordination with a rack builder and everyone who wants one pay him and have a rack built shipped from his shop. The result would be faster, easier and cheaper than 5 or 8 people getting custom racks for their Tikits.

I agree and would like one!

Ebi

27032011

Randy Brissey(08:43:31) :

I would be very interested in one of these racks. I will be getting a Belt Drive Tikit later this summer (once the CenterTrack stuff is sorted).

@RB – I am hoping to see the rack shortly. I will post something on my blog the moment I do.

BTW – Lane fitted the rack to my Tikit which I left with him while I went to Baja this winter. He is in the same city as Bike Friday so if you order a Tikit he could pick it up and fit a rack to it before you rec’d the bike.

I have a Brompton already and been browsing a lot of Tikit porn as well. I’ve spent more money on bikes than the 1 car I owned. I love the front luggage of my Brompton and I’d love to have front luggage on a Tikit, whenever I get one. Then my 1 bag can go on both! (Saving money in funny ways.)

@Patrick – Lane decided to rebuild the rack to utilize a design he figured was better. So that’s in the works. No idea when I’ll see it. It sounds like he is focused on making a great product and wants to perfect it a bit more. I can’t blame him and that’s the trouble with wanting something that is essentially a prototype.